Quantification of tear glucose levels and their correlation with blood glucose levels in dogs

Abstract

Background: No previous studies have quantified tear glucose (TG) levels in dogs or compared changes in TG and blood glucose (BG) concentrations.

Objective: To quantify TG concentration and evaluate its correlation with BG level in dogs.

Methods: Twenty repetitive tests were performed in alternate eyes of four dogs, with a minimum washout period of 1 week. Tears and blood were collected at 30-min intervals with successive glucose injections (1 g/kg) every 30 min. Cross-correlations of BG and TG levels were assessed. The delay and association between TG and corresponding BG levels were analysed for each dog; samples were collected at 5-min intervals. The tears were collected using microcapillary tubes. Collected tears and blood were analysed for glucose concentration using a colorimetric assay and commercially available glucometer, respectively.

Results: The average baseline BG and TG levels were 4.76 ± 0.58 and 0.39 ± 0.04 mmol/L, respectively. Even with highly fluctuating BG levels, a significant cross-correlation coefficient (r = 0.86, p < 0.05) was observed between changes of BG and TG levels. The delay time between BG and TG levels was 10 min. On average, BG levels were 16.34 times higher than TG levels. There was strong correlation between BG and TG levels (r_s = 0.80, p < 0.01). Significant differences in TG concentrations between normoglycaemia, mild hyperglycaemia, and severe hyperglycaemia were found (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Canine TG concentrations have not been quantified previously. Our findings suggest preliminary data for future research on TG levels in dogs and show TG measurement could be used to screen for diabetes mellitus in dogs.

Keywords: blood glucose; diabetes mellitus; dog; hyperglycaemia; tear collection; tear glucose.